Winning messages on public safety and immigration reform

The ACLU of Pennsylvania commissioned public polling in the summer of 2024 to learn more about voter preferences in Pennsylvania on a range of public policy issues. The polling consisted of a multi-day focus group online and a text-to-web survey of 600 likely Pennsylvania voters from June 13-19, 2024.

While the economy was the issue most cited by respondents, public safety and immigration reform were also common concerns among those polled. The memo below reviews the results of the polling regarding public safety and immigration reform and offers key messages that resonated most with Pennsylvania voters on these issues.

Read the memo from our pollsters.

Winning messages include:

  • Pennsylvanians prefer solutions in immigration reform that include creating a path to citizenship and creating a better process for asylum seekers. The majority of voters prioritized these solutions as opposed to measures like building walls or increasing deportations.
  • Pennsylvanians prefer solutions on public safety that address the root causes of crime instead of more punitive policies like increased arrests or incarceration. The majority of voters want to see investment in programs and resources that have been proven to prevent crime instead of the failed “tough on crime” policies of the past.

Explore the Interactive graphic on public safety polling

explore the interactive graphic on immigration polling

 

Pennsylvania voters have made it clear: they don't want the failed, punitive public safety policies of the past. They want investments in the services and resources that address crime at the root. 

Pennsylvania voters prefer welcoming policies that allow undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows and enter on a path to citizenship.

 

Related Content

Podcast
Oct 02, 2024
Speaking Freely logo
  • Immigrants' Rights|
  • +1 Issue

What voters really want on immigration and public safety

In the run up to this year’s election, we here at the ACLU knew that candidates would be talking about the two issues of immigration and public safety. Knowing that was coming, the ACLU has been engaged all year in a research project called Battleground Blueprint.
News & Commentary
Sep 30, 2024
Group of demonstrators holding a banner reading "Moms say no to stop and frisk"
  • Criminal Justice Reform|
  • +1 Issue

Pennsylvanians want solutions, not the failed policies of the past

When it comes to immigration and public safety, politicians running for office in 2024 tend to get it all wrong no matter if they are a Democrat or a Republican.
News & Commentary
Sep 30, 2024
Group of demonstrators holding a banner reading "Moms say no to stop and frisk"
  • Criminal Justice Reform|
  • +1 Issue

Los habitantes de Pensilvania quieren soluciones, no las políticas fallidas del pasado

Si has visto un programa de televisión o una película o has escuchado un pódcast o un programa de radio en los últimos meses en Pensilvania, probablemente hayas visto y/o escuchado un anuncio político tras otro antes de las elecciones de este año.
Press Release
Sep 11, 2024
ACLU-PA logo
  • Immigrants' Rights|
  • +1 Issue

New Poll From ACLU of Pa. Shows Voters Want Solutions That Improve Lives on Immigration and Public Safety

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania has released the results of public polling that reveals the commonwealth’s voters seek solutions that prevent crime and improve people’s lives and a humane system of immigration.